Sheryl M. Rocke

Sheryl M. Rocke, age 83, passed away at Serenity Hospice and Home surrounded by her loving family on February 16, 2023. She was born in Macon Township in Bureau County, IL on a farm by Sheffield on September 6, 1939 the daughter of Gordon and Thelma (Roush) Carper. After graduating high school Sheryl continued her education graduating from Bradley University majoring in Home Economics with a minor in English. She married Virgil Rocke on April 9, 1960 in Peoria. Sheryl was someone who loved to stay busy. She worked many jobs in her lifetime including teaching English and in the appliance department of Montgomery Ward where she sold and taught how to use microwaves. She was a dietician at Pinecrest for many years and in retirement consulted in the dietary department or taught classes at KSB, Pinecrest, Serenity Hospice, and the Rock River Senior Center. She helped establish a Nutrition for Older Americans program (NOA) under the federal Older Americans Act with IVCC in Oglesby. Sheryl was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Oregon and part of the United Methodist Women. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening and baking for others. She preferred to spend her days in service to others. She is survived and missed by her sons, John (Diane) Rocke of Oregon, Benjamin Rocke of Oregon, and Michael (Maizie) Rocke of Rockville, MD; siblings, Jim (Carol) Carper of Sun City, AZ, Janet (John) Swartz of Mt Horeb, WI, and Julie (Rudy) Sigrist of Pleasant Plain, OH; grandchildren, Kevin Rocke, Eldon Rocke, and Maisie Rocke; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister, Susan Crescenzo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Serenity Hospice and Home, The United Methodist Church in Oregon, or Lifescape Community Services https://lifescapeservices.org/donate. Though the best thing anyone who knew and loved her could do in her memory would be to continue her ministries that were so important to her.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11 AM at the Oregon United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 10 AM until the time of service.